Project Description

Dark Wood Netsuke of Oni Gyozui by Ouchi Sosui (1907-72)

Seated up to his waist in a wooden bath-tub, the oni rubs his back with a towel of lighter wood.  His eyes are double inlays, his fangs marine ivory.  The coals that heat his bath in a chamber accessed from the side are inlays of coral

Signed: Sosui

Height: 4.5 cm

Provenance:

Jacques Carré collection

Information:

Sosui was the son of Gyokuso and pupil of Morita Soko, two of the best carvers of the 20th century. To be reminded of what a consummate carver he was, it is worth revisiting the Bonhams New York sale catalogue of the Kirchhoff collection, September 16th 2009, lots 2071 to 2084

MR3542